 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-12-11 11:59
24 hours ago I was complaining I couldn't get my hands on a Concerto A. Now, I have the choice of a new Concerto II at an excellent price ($1900) or a Brannenised Concerto ($2600) that was returned because the customer didn't like it - it's one of Lisa's choices at IMS (I understand a lot of people don't have the same taste as her). I'm spoiled for choice, and don't know which one to pick really - I'd like to make a decision quickly because I'd rather not keep either music store waiting.
My teacher said to be wary of this Concerto II as it has a rather low price tag and believes it may be so bad that the store just want to get rid of it. I hardly believe this, as the store seems very reputable from the email discussion we've had. But then again, I don't know, maybe Lisa desperately wants to get rid of that particular Concerto too?
Concerto II because it's new and 'better' (aparently), or Concerto because it's Brannenised and I didn't have to pay for it?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-12-11 12:05
You'll never know until you try them ... you'll either have to try both (an expensive proposition in shipping) or guess (and that's just a regular crapshoot, eh?)
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-12-11 12:07
Well if I order one on trial, the other might be sold while I'm trying one!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-12-11 12:10
LeWhite wrote:
> Well if I order one on trial, the other might be sold while I'm
> trying one!
They'll allow you to trial up to three (last I looked).
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Author: David Peacham
Date: 2003-12-11 12:15
As I understand it, you want a Concerto A to match your Concerto Bb.
I haven't seen a Concerto II, but I tried an Opus II last week and the feel of the keywork is significantly difficult. A Concerto II A may match your Concerto Bb in bore design, but it won't match it in keywork.
Therefore I suggest that the Brannenised Concerto A is a safer bet.
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If there are so many people on this board unwilling or unable to have a civil and balanced discussion about important issues, then I shan't bother to post here any more.
To the great relief of many of you, no doubt.
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Author: johnsonfromwisconsin
Date: 2003-12-11 13:33
take them both out on trial from their respective stores. That's pretty much the only way you'll get to do a head-to-head on 'em.
-JfW
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-12-11 13:41
What's the rush there's lots of horns out there.......
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Author: icecoke12
Date: 2003-12-11 13:46
How much does brannenising a clarinet cost? Order a Concerto II from WWBW and send it to be brannenised?
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-12-11 13:59
Tim,
First, given the Brannens' reputation, it's hard to believe that they would "attach" their name to a less-than-excellent clarinet. That would give me some confidence if I were shopping.
Second, if you keep the instrument for 10 years, it will cost you only about $70 per year (not including interest) more for the more expensive of the two.
Third, is it possible to get a second opinion from a professional, agreed on by you and the stores, for each of these clarinets? It would be a small price to pay compared to buying an instrument that might be defective/deficient/unsuitable and the savings in shipping costs for sending an instrument back should offset some of the cost.
Hans
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Author: William
Date: 2003-12-11 14:46
For what this might be worth, when I was auditioning bass clarinets at Lisa'a store, she offered me this low Eb Buffet Prestigue that had been "just" Brannaized by its previous owner (and returned). The key action was magnificient, but accoustically, the instrument was just awful. Stuffy sound, uneven scale and difficult upper register. Lisa did provide me with seven other low C instruments to choose from and allowd me to take two out on approval, and I think I finally picked a great--however, "un-Brannanized"--one. My point is that "Brannanization" does not necessarily result in nor always produce a top notch instrument. It only makes the instrument that you start with a little better.
("you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear", comes to mind.....)
My feelings on that Brannaized Concerto A is, that if it is now in "the store" to be sold, the previous owner really didn't like it. Try before you buy.
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2003-12-11 21:06
Thanks for the advice. It's always a rocky situation when purchasing new clarinets. My teacher's Leblancs were selected by Lisa and Brannenised, and they're gorgeous-sounding instruments. I just left a message for Lisa telling her I'd take the Brannenised Concerto A...
PS. Being an Aussie, the accent of the people I spoke to in the store was very very weird, to me! I laughed after I hung up!
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2003-12-12 00:59
Um, Tim, since you are saving money either way (from what you were originally going to be paying) why not trial both at the same time? The money you are saving could be spent on shipping. It depends on what lengths you want to go to find THE instrument.
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